Town of James Island Incorporation

CHARLESTON, SC – The organizers of a 4th Town of James Island will conduct a referendum on the incorporation of another town on Tuesday, April 24.  The City of Charleston is notifying via cards in the mail those property owners who would be included in the town so that it is clear which properties would be a part of the proposed new town.  The cards should be arriving in owners’ mailboxes late this week.
 
On three previous occasions, the City of Charleston has successfully challenged the legality of the town as it was formed. The proposed new town, which will be much smaller than the previous one, may not be capable of being successfully challenged. If the City of Charleston determines that the town is legally formed, the city will not contest it, and therefore, the town will be permanently incorporated and these owners will be a part of it forever, being unable to remain in the James Island Public Service District or annex out into another jurisdiction.
 
Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. said, “The property owners within the proposed Town’s boundaries still have a choice, but time is running out quickly. “ Contiguous land owners may annex into the City of Charleston during the next few weeks.
 
Matters that should be considered include the following:

1. The proposed Town of James Island will not have a police department, but will rather rely on Charleston County providing essentially free police protection through the Sherriff’s Office.  There is no South Carolina town of substantial size, certainly no town of over 5,000 people that does not have its own police department.  The only exception is Hilton Head, where the residents substantially pay for private police services as well as contract with their county.  Therefore, a town of 11,000 people formed on the premise that the citizens will never have to pay for police protection is not realistic.  In other words, it is likely that sooner or later the Town of James Island may well have to substantially tax itself for police services via increased property taxes.
2. The proposed Town of James Island also will not provide fire service or sanitation service, but rather rely on the James Island Public Service District.
3. The Town of James Island as proposed does not have any substantial commercial tax base. When the Town has to levy a tax, it will almost completely be borne by homeowners and the burden could well be quite substantial.
4. The City of Charleston has an AAA credit rating.  Its tax rates are competitive with the James Island Public Service District and it offers first rate municipal service.  Especially important is the City of Charleston’s Police Department, which is the largest, best staffed and trained police department in our state and has a team of officers devoted exclusively to serving James Island and Johns Island.

For those residents who would like to ensure their ability to choose which jurisdiction they want to be a part of, please contact the City of Charleston at 724-3789 or email at [email protected].